Why?

That is what most everyone I know is asking is simply, 'Why? Why do it?'

Look, trying to gain an advantage is part of the game. That is why coaches, pitchers, infielders, and people with tremendously bad breath always cover their mouths when conversing during the course of play.

They are paranoid the opposition is watching; on camera, by camera, by binoculars, by out-dated Soviet satellites re-fitted to read lips from two thousand kilometers.

Tell the truth, in all the time Charlie Weiss was the Offensive Coordinator for Patriots, did you ever once see his mouth when network cameras caught him on the sideline?

No! 

For all we know, Charlie Weiss had a Fu Manchu back then. We'd never know it because he always had that lamenated play sheet closer to his lips than if it was a menu from Arby's.

Heck, Major Leaguers have made stealing one another's signs almost an art form. That is, until someone crosses the line and gets caught and fingers wag and tongues go tsk, tsk, tsk and then it goes back to its more civilized version of thievery. Whatever that is.

The problem that faces Bill Belichick is the rule is quite clear. There is no grey area. It stipulates no videotaping on the field, from the coaches box or the lockerroom during the game by unauthorized personnel.

None. Zero. Zip. Nadda.

Couple that with the fact that he's trying to pull the tape over the eyes of his former employee who was with the Patriots when Patriots employee Matt Estrella was doing the same illegal videotaping on the sidelines of other games.

Uh, hello?!

You say this man is a genius?

I have to tell you, I'm having my doubts.

Maybe he is with X's and O's but life is about more than two letters of the alphabet.

That's two extremely ugly hits to this organization that prides itself on cleanliness.

First, discovering Rodney Harrison elected to cheat.  That still stings.

Now, apparently, it seems to have been the wont of the head coach as well. 

And the question remains, why? Why did he feel he needed to violate the rules? Didn't Robert Kraft open his wallet enough this off-season to make this team prohibitive favorites to win the Super Bowl? 

Is this man insecure in his ability to win? I don't know.

Do I have to tell you who loses in all of this? Right, the players. They will be the ones subjected to the slings and arrows around the venues of the NFL.

In fact right now, on our homepage is a question that asks if this incident has changed your perspective of the team?

Your answer, of course, should be no. The team had nothing to do with this. The head coach is responsible. The question is 'Has this incident changed your opinion about Bill Belichick?'

Please leave the team out of it.

The players are the ones standing in the lockerroom saying into two dozen microphones, "I am not a cheater. I work hard, I've always worked hard to prepare to play and I don't cheat."

Well, with the exception of, you know.....

By the way, anyone check out Belichick's record against an opponent the second time around?

Pete Rose is bettin' the house it's off the charts.